Paper Work Requirements for 1910.146 (PRCS)

The purpose of the information collection requirements specified in the Permit-Required Confined Spaces Standard (29 CFR 1910.146) is to ensure that employers systematically evaluate the dangers in permit spaces before entry is attempted, and to guarantee that Start Printed Page 23725adequate measures are taken to make the areas safe for entry. Section 1910.146(c)(2) requires the employer to post danger signs to inform exposed employees of the existence and location of, and the dangers posed by, permit spaces.

1. Section 1910.146(c)(4) requires the employer to DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A WRITTEN PERMIT-SPACE PROGRAM when the employer decides that its employees will enter permit spaces. The written program is to be made available for inspection by employees and their authorized representatives. Section 1910.146(d) provides the employer with the requirements of a permit-required confined space program.
2. Section 1910.146(c)(5)(i)(E) requires that the DETERMINATIONS AND SUPPORTING DATA specified by paragraphs (c)(5)(i)(A), (c)(5)(i)(B), and (c)(5)(i)(C) of this section are documented by the employer and are made available to each employee who enters a permit space or to that employee’s authorized representative. Under paragraph (c)(5)(ii)(H) of § 1910.146, the employer is REQUIRED TO VERIFY that the space is safe for entry and that the pre-entry measures required by paragraph (c)(5)(ii) of this section have been taken, using a WRITTEN CERTIFICATION that contains the date, the location of the space, and the signature of the person providing the certification. The certification is to be MADE BEFORE ENTRY and is required to be made available to each employee entering the space or to that employee’s authorized representative.
3. Section 1910.146(c)(7)(iii) requires the employer to document the basis for determining that ALL HAZARDS in a permit space have been ELIMINATED using a certification that contains the date, the location of the area, and the signature of the person making the determination. The certification is to be made available to each employee entering the space or to that employee’s authorized representative.
4. Section 1910.146(c)(8)(i) requires the employer to inform the contractor that the workplace contains permit spaces and that permit space entry is allowed only through compliance with a permit space program meeting the requirements of this section. Section 1910.146(c)(8)(ii) requires the employer to apprise the contractor of the elements, including the hazards identified and the host employer’s experience with space, which make the area in question a permit space. Section 1910.146(c)(8)(iii) requires the employer to apprise the contractor of any precautions or procedures that the host employer has implemented for the protection of employees in or near permit spaces where contractor personnel will be working. Section 1910.146(c)(8)(v) requires the employer to DEBRIEF THE CONTRACTOR at the conclusion of the entry operations about the permit space program that was followed, and any hazards confronted or created in permit spaces during entry operations.
5. Section 1910.146(c)(9)(iii) requires the CONTRACTOR TO INFORM the host employer of the permit space program that the contractor will follow and of any hazards confronted or created in permit spaces, either through a debriefing or during the entry operation.
6. Section 1910.146(d)(5)(vi) requires the employer to PROVIDE EACH AUTHORIZED ENTRANT IMMEDIATELY or that an employee’s authorized representative with the results of any testing conducted in accord with paragraph (d) of the Standard.
7. Section 1910.146(d)(14) requires employers to review the permit space program, using the canceled permits retained under paragraph (e)(6) within one year after each entry to ensure that employees participating in entry operations are protected from permit space hazards, and revise the program as necessary.
8. Section 1910.146(e)(1) requires the employer to document the completion of measures required by paragraph (d)(3) by preparing an entry permit before employee entry is authorized. Paragraph (f) of § 1910.146 specifies the information to be included on the entry permit.
   1. Paragraph (e)(3) requires the employer to make the completed permit available at the time of entry to all authorized entrants by posting the permit at the entry portal or by any other equally effective means so that the entrants can confirm that pre-entry preparations have been completed.
   2. Paragraph (e)(6) requires the employer to retain each canceled entry permit for at least one year; any problems encountered during an entry operation must be noted on the appropriate license so that revisions to the permit space program can be made.
9. Section 1910.146(g)(4) requires the employer to certify that the training required by paragraphs (g)(1) through (g)(3) has been accomplished by preparing a WRITTEN CERTIFICATION record.
10. Section 1910.146(h)(3) requires the employer to ensure that all authorized entrants communicate with the attendant as necessary to enable the attendant to monitor entrant status and to allow the attendant to alert entrants of the need to evacuate the space as required by paragraph (l)(6) of the Standard.
11. Section 1910.146(h)(4) requires the employer to ensure that all authorized entrants alert the attendant whenever the entrant recognizes any warning sign or symptom of exposure to a dangerous situation (paragraph (h)(4)(i)), or the entrant detects a prohibited condition (paragraph (h)(4)(ii)).
12. Section 1910.146(i)(5) requires the employer to ensure that each attendant communicate with authorized entrants as necessary to monitor entrant status and to alert entrants of the need to evacuate the space under the conditions specified in paragraphs (i)(6)(i)-(i)(6)(iv) of the Standard.
13. Section 1910.146(i)(7) requires the employer to ensure that the attendant summons rescue and other emergency services as soon as the attendant determines that authorized entrants may need assistance to escape from permit space hazards.
14. Section 1910.146(i)(8) requires the employer to ensure that the attendant warn unauthorized persons that they must stay away from the permit space (paragraph (i)(8)(i)); advise unauthorized persons that they must exit immediately if they have entered the permit space (paragraph (i)(8)(ii)); and inform authorized entrants and the entry supervisor if unauthorized persons have entered the permit space (paragraph (i)(8)(iii)).
15. Section 1910.146(j)(2) requires the employer to ensure that each entry supervisor verifies, by checking that the appropriate entries have been made on the permit, that all tests specified by the permit have been conducted and that all procedures and equipment specified by the permit are in place, before endorsing the permit and allowing entry to begin.
16. Section 1910.146(k)(1)(i) requires the employer to evaluate a prospective rescuer’s ability to respond to a rescue summons promptly, considering the hazard(s) identified;
17. Section 1910.146(k)(1)(ii) requires the employer to evaluate a prospective rescue service’s ability, in terms of proficiency with rescue-related tasks and equipment, to function appropriately while rescuing entrants from the particular permit space or types of permit spaces identified.
18. Section 1910.146(k)(1)(iv) requires the employer to inform each rescue team or service of the hazards they may confront when called on to perform a rescue at the site. Section 1910.146(k)(1)(v) requires the employer to provide the rescue team or service selected with access to all permit spaces from which rescue may be necessary so that the rescue service can develop appropriate rescue plans.
19. Section 1910.146(k)(4) requires that, if an injured entrant is exposed to a substance for which a “Material Safety Data Sheet” (MSDS) [now referred to as an SDS (Safety Data Sheet)] or other similar written information is required to be kept at the worksite, then the employer must make the SDS or written information available to the medical facility treating the exposed entrant.
20. Section 1910.146(l)(1) requires employers to consult with affected employees and their authorized representatives on the development and implementation of all aspects of the permit space program required by paragraph (c).
21. Section 1910.146(l)(2) requires employers to make all information required by this section available to affected employees and their authorized representatives.